U.S. Trial of AIDS Drug Is Failing the Victims

Published: January 21, 1988

To the Editor:

While the difficulties with clinical trials of the drug AZT, or azidothymidine, for acquired immune deficiency syndrome are certainly front-page news (Dec. 28), the narrow focus of your article underestimates the extent of the problem.

The obstacles that have hindered the AZT trial you describe are present in most of the AIDS-related clinical trials. Problems such as the lack of office space and personnel are embarrassing and intolerable excuses that demonstrate the Federal Government's failure adequately to research drugs that could save lives.

Furthermore, emphasis on AZT by both you and the Federal Government is misplaced. Although AZT is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AIDS, it is not the only drug that has shown some degree of promise in combating AIDS. There are now at least 17 other antiviral drugs and 19 immunomodulating drugs that may ultimately prove to be beneficial. AZT is a highly toxic drug that cannot be tolerated by almost half of those seriously ill with AIDS. Yet, more than half of the Government-sponsored clinical trials involve AZT. Other drugs that appear to have lower levels of toxicity are not being pursued with the interest and intensity accorded AZT.

Additionally, there are serious problems with the criteria being used in accepting patients into the drug protocols. This is one reason for the low rate of enrollment in many of the clinical trials. Reports of racial and sexual discrimination are widespread. There is also a reluctance to accept intravenous-drug users in many trials.

As of Dec. 21, 1987, there had been more than 49,000 cases of AIDS reported to the Centers for Disease Control. The Government's continued incompetence in researching possible treatments costs more lives each day. DAVID BARR Staff Attorney, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund New York, Jan. 4, 1988